Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 23 February 2024.

Asia BD spot market buoyant with active China exports
By Ai Teng Lim 23-Feb-24 10:54 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Discussions for Asian butadiene (BD) imports picked up this week as China embarked on active export sales.

SE Asia PE March offers firmer as tight Middle East supply persists
By Izham Ahma 22-Feb-24 10:12 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Initial spot import offers for March polyethylene (PE) shipments in southeast Asia were announced firmer in the week ending 23 February, with many major Middle Eastern suppliers still showing limited spot volume available.

Japan January chemical exports up 11%; overall shipments at record high
By Nurluqman Suratman 21-Feb-24 13:20 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Japan’s chemical shipments in January rose by 11.2% year on year to yen (Y) 865.9bn ($5.8bn), with overall exports hitting a record high for the month, thus, easing some concerns over Asia’s highly industrialised economy which tipped into a technical recession in the second half of 2023.

Asia petchem markets await China’s demand signals after holiday
By Nurluqman Suratman 19-Feb-24 13:56 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s petrochemical markets will closely watch China’s demand signals after the Lunar New Year holiday amid ongoing concerns about the country’s economic health.

PODCAST: Asian olefins to see support amid tighter supply, Panama congestion persists
By Julia Tan 21-Feb-24 19:51 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s ethylene (C2) market saw supply tighten amid fewer volumes from the US in Q1 as a direct result of congestion at the Panama Canal.